Before working with students, gather the materials needed to create a successful art lesson. Display examples of landscape art around the classroom. Place art materials in a location accessible to students so they may use them when ready. Be ready for mess when working with early childhood students. Have smocks available for students to wear and easels to paint on.
Gather students and discuss with them the art concept of foreground, middle ground and background. The foreground includes items located closest to the viewer. Middle ground is the area in the middle of the painting. The background is the area with items farthest from the viewer.
Select five landscapes and position them in the front of the room. Have students find the foreground, middle ground and background in paintings. Label the areas of the paintings as foreground, middle ground or background.
Give each early childhood student a sheet of easel paper and place it either on an easel or a flat work surface. Have each student separate the paper into three levels using a crayon defining the foreground, middle ground and background for their painting.
Use crayons to draw objects in the foreground, middle ground and background. When students are ready, use watercolor paints to create their landscape painting. Larger brushes are better suited for painting the background and smaller brushes will assist with creating detail in the foreground. Display paintings around the room next to the other posted landscapes.